Mind of Migg

One of my favorite scenes in the movies “Shoot ‘Em Up” is this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhsjit5xJks

I completely share in Clive Owen’s frustration with people who don’t signal.  Not that I would go so far as to drive someone off the road.  At least, I haven’t reached that point yet.  But I feel as though choosing not to signal says a lot about the person driving.

There are times when it’s perfectly acceptable to not signal.  All of those times involve situations where there is no traffic behind you.  If there is nobody that will be inconvenienced by your change of lane or turn, then it’s fine to let it go.  Say you’re leaving somewhere at the crack of dawn when most of the city is still sleeping.  If there are no cars behind you, go ahead and leave your hand on the wheel.  It’s probably better that way so early in the morning anyway.

That is the only exception to the rule though.  At all other times, you should signal.  As Clive Owen says in the movie, “how hard is it to use your signal?  I move my finger one inch to use my signal.”  It doesn’t take a lot of effort.  It can even be done in the same motion as turning the wheel to move the car.  So why do so many people neglect this simple task?

To me, someone who doesn’t signal is being selfish.  We all know how easy a move it is to use the signal, so it can’t be a lack of effort, or even laziness.  If you have enough energy to drive a car, you have enough energy to move your finger one inch.  It must be selfishness.  It’s no different than the person who doesn’t hold the door open for the little old lady exiting the store as you enter, or someone who cuts in line.  It’s a blatant disregard for other people around them, as if the existence of the world revolved directly around the center of their driver’s seat.  Not only do they make others slam on their breaks unexpectedly, or cause traffic to slow down, they don’t even realize that they’ve done it.  If it isn’t within the narrow scope of what they’re thinking, it’s not even on their radar.

When I find out a friend doesn’t use their signal, it’s more disappointing than finding out they got caught cheating or stealing.  I suddenly realize it’s only a matter of time before that lack of courtesy for others is passed on in some other form.

“Hey Joe, can I borrow five bucks?”

“Sorry, I only have one five left.  I don’t plan to use it, but I’d hate to go get cash out again today.”

“Hey Bob, did you eat that sandwich I left in the fridge?”

“Yes.”

“That was for my lunch.  I make a sandwich every morning for my lunch, you know that.”

“But I was hungry.”

These are the conclusions I draw from the types who don’t signal.  Maybe that’s me being judgmental.  Maybe Clive Owen’s character has a serious anger management problem and there’s no reason to get so upset about something so small.  But that’s the thing; it’s not such a small deal.  If you’re gonna be a jerk, at least show people you are aware you’re being a jerk.  Like if you’re cutting someone off because you have to get over for your exit.  If you squeeze in but signal, you’re saying, “I apologize for this maneuver but I really need to take this exit.”  But if you were to make the same move without a signal, you’re saying (into your Bluetooth), “Hey Jerry, hold on I almost missed my exit.  There we go, oh my god I love this song that’s on right now.”  Is it not as bad to make a jerk move if you are aware you’re infringing on others?  That’s probably a debate for another post, but I think in the case of the signal, it is not as bad.

In reality, I’m sure it falls someone in the middle: non-signalers are not all selfish a-holes, and those that do aren’t automatically great drivers either.  But in the end, it’s nice to signal.  Acknowledge others stuck on the road with you.  They may hold the door open for you later.